Prelude
Processional Hymn“Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling”#434
Congregational Call to Worship
Leader:Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord,
People:that He may teach us His Ways
Leader:and that we may walk in His path.
All:That our light may shine brightly in the dark world.
Congregational Invocation
Divine Creator, we ask that Your Light and Truth meet us here. Inspire our hearts with the challenge of missions at home and abroad. Renew our zeal to be witnesses for Thee. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Choral Response
Hymn of Praise“Our Promise, Praise, Petition”#671
Litany of Self-examination
Leader:O Lord, open thou our eyes that we may see ourselves as thou seest us; in Thy Mercy show us the evil that is in us, and cleanse us by Thy mighty power. From irresolute purpose, from unchastened desires, and from a weak and wavering will.
People: Good Lord, deliver us.
Leader:From slackness and indolence, from indifference to the treasures of knowledge, and a refusal to use the gifts with which thou has endowed us.
People:Good Lord, deliver us.
Leader:From low ideals of life, and from thoughtless disregard of the influence of our conduct.
People:Good Lord, deliver us.
Leader:From pride and vanity and boasting, from self-assertion and self-seeking and blindness to the common weal.
People:Good Lord, deliver us.
Leader:From dislike of criticism and love of popularity, and from unreadiness to do our duty at whatever cost.
People:Good Lord, deliver us.
Leader:From hastiness of speech and sullenness of temper, from readiness to think the worst of others, and from all unseemly and unworthy conversation.
ALL:Good Lord, deliver us.
Gloria Patri
Affirmation of Faith“The Apostles’ Creed”
Scripture LessonsJohn 3:1-8; Romans 8:29; Phillipians2:6-8
Prayer
Choral Response
Choral Selections
Founder’s Day Tributes to Dr. Willa Mae Rice and Dr. Adlise Ivey Porter
Introduction of the Founder’s Day Messenger
Selection of Preparation
Founder’s Day Message“The Heart of the Calling”
Invitation to Christian Discipleship/Invitational Hymn
Offering/Offertory
Remarks
Missionary Benediction
“God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us and give us peace.” Amen
*Reference – Y.A.M.S. Founder’s Day Observance program outline as printed in the A.M.E. Z. Book of Worship.
Young Adult Missionary Society ~ Historical Review
The vision of the Young Adult Missionary Society began in August 1975 when Dr. Willa Mae Rice, then General President of the WH&OM Society, brought a resolution to the 18th Quadrennial Convention held in Los Angeles, CA to establish a department for women ages 27-40. The resolution was not adopted, but in 1979 at the 19th Quadrennial Convention held in Miami, FL, the delegates voted to bring the YAMS in under the umbrella of the Parent Body.
However, in 1983 at the 20th Quadrennial Convention in New Orleans, LA, the YAM Society was adopted as the sixth department of the Woman’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society. Dr. Adlise I. Porter, the 2nd Vice President, was appointed Coordinator of the department by the convention. Through her spiritual gifts, Dr. Porter developed the structure of the department which included writing operational Guidelines for the department’s Thematic Bible studies, Social Concerns Projects, motto, colors, and theme song.
At the Quadrennial Convention in 1987 held in Boston, MA, the structural components were adopted for use on the general, district, and local levels of the Y.A.M.S., and subsequently ratified by the General Conference. Also, the title of “Coordinator” was given to the general, district, and local leaders of the Y.A.M.S. Prior to the 22nd Quadrennial Convention held in New Orleans, LA, the YAMS Anniversary Day was called “Willa Mae Rice Day”. It was during this convention that a resolution was adopted to change “Willa Mae Rice Day” to Founder’s Day to honor Dr. Rice as founder and Dr. Porter as the Organizing Coordinator.
In 1991 at the 22nd Quadrennial Convention, Mrs. JoAnn B. Holmes, became the first elected General Coordinator and was re-elected in 1995 at the 23rd Quadrennial Convention in Detroit, MI. During the 23rd quadrennial meeting, a resolution was adopted to change the ages of YAMS from 27-40 to 22-40. To chart the course of the Y.A.M.S. into the 21st century, Mrs. Sandra B. Crowder was elected General Coordinator at the 24th Quadrennial Convention in Dallas, TX. In 2007 at the 26th Quadrennial Convention in Orlando, FL, Mrs. Dawn L. Walker was elected the 4th General Coordinator of the Y.A.M.S.
Most recently, on July 30, 2015, during the 28th Quadrennial Convention in Orlando, FL, Dr. Joy L. Kennedy was elected as the 5th General Coordinator of the Young Adult Missionary Society.
Y.A.M. S. MOTTO:
“With hearts and hands,
We reach up to God for strength and directions.
We reach out to love and touch others.
We reach down to lift fallen humanity.”
Young Adult Missionary Society
19832015
Founder’s Day Observance
November 2015
2015-2019 Quadrennial Theme:
“The Great Commission – A Global Outreach:
Personal Calling, Personal Transformation,
Personal Instruction, and Personal Commitment”
Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Dr. Joy L. Kennedy, PhD
General Coordinator of the Y.A.M.S.
Dr. Sandra L. Gadson, MD
International President of the WH&OMS